June Summary | What the techUK Health and Social Care Programme Delivered

The techUK Health and Social Care programme delivered a series of events throughout June, bringing together industry leaders, government stakeholders, and NHS decision-makers to tackle critical digital health challenges.

As we gear up to provide comprehensive analysis and member support for the upcoming 10-year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan expected in July, we are committed to continue to position members at the forefront of health policy developments.

We are also seeking member speakers working in digital therapeutics or femtech to participate in our upcoming panel session "Empowering Women's Health: The Role of Digital Therapeutics in Femtech". Please reach out to the team (E: [email protected]) if you're interested in contributing to this important discussion.

Lastly, registrations are now open for our annual Health and Care Summit featuring keynote speaker Sir James Mackey (Register now for the Health and Care Summit). Interested in events in July? Join us for the quarterly Health and care policy review (9 July), Health Foundation Industry Briefing on NHS digitisation costs (11 July), and Stotles Webinar on AI Emerging Technologies (15 July).

Key Events Overview

New Procurement Act Briefing
In partnership with Mills & Reeve, techUK hosted an essential member briefing unpacking the implications of the Procurement Act 2023 for health and care technology suppliers. Legal experts Shailee Howard and Charlotte Lewis provided insights for navigating the new procurement landscape.

Cyber Security Standards in the NHS
A high-level roundtable facilitated strategic dialogue between techUK members and Phil Huggins, Director of Cyber Policy and Chief Information Security Officer at Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The session focused on the NHS Joint Cyber Unit's voluntary Cyber Security Charter and gathered industry input to inform future policy frameworks, regulatory changes, and commercial contracts.

Maximising Your techUK Membership
The programme's quarterly member engagement session showcased the full value proposition of HSC membership. Thomas Webb, CEO of Ethical Healthcare Consulting and Council member, shared insights on how techUK membership delivers business credibility, policy influence, and unparalleled networking opportunities.

NHS Genomic Medicine: Digital Transformation
The yearly genomics update event brought together NHS England's Genomics Informatics Programme team. The session provided comprehensive updates on three critical projects: Digital Order Management (transitioning from Alpha to Private Beta), Digital Genomic Test Service (launching minimum viable product in Autumn 2025), and the Unified Genomic Record initiative.

AI Assurance in Health and Social Care
The event featured panellists from industry (Synoptix, Greatwave AI, IBM, Faculty AI) as well as public sector stakeholders (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), BSI and Royal College of Psychiatrist). The session is part of an overarching initiative to understand AI assurance across multiple sectors to develop a techUK-wide report. (Members interested to contribute to the report can reach out to the team for more information at [email protected]).

NHS London Procurement Partnership Webinar
NHS London Procurement Partnership outlined its role in commercial delivery across the NHS and wider public sector. The session provided updates on current and upcoming routes to market, support for SMEs, and the broader strategic landscape suppliers are navigating.

Pre-Procurement Roundtable on NHS Blood and Transplant Donor and Session Platform (DASP)
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) launched the early market engagement on the Donor and Session Platform (DASP) programme, an initiative to modernise its legacy system, Pulse. The session provided an opportunity for suppliers to contribute insights that will shape the procurement approach, system requirements, and delivery model.

techUK Health Policy Insights

Life Sciences in the Government's Industrial Strategy
Rachel Kennedy, techUK’s Life Sciences Lead, analysed the Government's Industrial Strategy which positions Life Sciences as central to economic growth. The strategy aims to make the UK Europe's leading Life Sciences economy by 2030.

NHS Urgent and Emergency Care Plan 2025/26 Analysis
June saw the release of the NHS's system-wide winter resilience strategy with significant digital transformation elements.

Robert Walker

Head of Health & Social Care, techUK

Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.

Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.

Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!

Email:: [email protected]

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Viola Pastorino

Junior Programme Manager, Health and Care Team, techUK

Viola Pastorino is a policy, governance, and strategic communication specialist.

She joined techUK as the Junior Programme Manager in the Health and Care Team in April 2024.

She has obtained a Bachelor of Sciences in Governance, Economics, and Development from Leiden University, and a Master's programme in Strategic Communications at King's College London. Her academic background, leading up to a dissertation on AI policy influence and hands-on campaign development, is complemented by practical experience in international PR and grassroots project management.

She is skilled in qualitative and quantitative analysis and comfortable communicating findings to varying stakeholders. Above all, she is deeply passionate about the intersection of technology and government, especially how technology and global discourse shape one another, the processes that lead to belief polarisation and radicalisation of communities, and crafting strategic narratives that steer public discourse.

Outside of work she loves reading, live music light operation, and diving.

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Rachel Kennedy

Programme Manager Health and Social Care, techUK

Rachel joined techUK in December 2024, as a Programme Manager in the Health and Social Care team.

Prior to this, Rachel worked at a specialist health and social care public affairs agency, working with a range of organisations and trade bodies across the medical technology, pharmaceutical, digital health and social care sectors. As well as this, Rachel was part of the Secretariat for a number of health and care related All-Party Parliamentary Groups.

Rachel has a Masters in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Leeds, as well as a first-class honours in Politics BA from Newcastle University.

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Francesca Richiusa

Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK

Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.

Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.

Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.

Email:: [email protected]
Website:: www.techuk.org/
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-richiusa/

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Health and Social Care Programme activities

techUK is helping its members navigate the complex space of digital health in the UK to ensure our NHS and social care sector is prepared for the challenges of the future. We help validate new ideas and build impactful strategies, ultimately ensuring that members are market-ready. Visit the programme page here.